U.S. patent number 5,431,276 [Application Number 08/115,324] was granted by the patent office on 1995-07-11 for multifunctional lid.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Quik-Lid, Inc.. Invention is credited to Tony Lialin.
United States Patent |
5,431,276 |
Lialin |
July 11, 1995 |
Multifunctional lid
Abstract
The invention is an attachable lid for dispensing additives into
a cup. The lid has a plurality of compartments which contain
additives. Each compartment has a plunger such that when pressure
is applied to the lid the plunger punctures the bottom of the
compartment and the additive is dispensed into the cup.
Inventors: |
Lialin; Tony (South San
Franscisco, CA) |
Assignee: |
Quik-Lid, Inc. (Soquel,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22360642 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/115,324 |
Filed: |
September 2, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222; 206/217;
206/219; 426/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
51/2828 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
51/24 (20060101); B65D 51/28 (20060101); B65D
081/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/217,219-222,568
;215/227 ;220/521 ;222/80 ;426/112,120 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Foster; Jimmy G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Warren & Perez
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of additives into a cup,
comprising:
a lid having an external rim and an internal rim, said internal rim
aligned co-axially with said external rim;
a plurality of dividers extending from said internal rim, said
dividers being fused to said external rim to create a plurality of
compartments for holding the additives;
a plurality of plungers positioned in said compartments; and
a bottom cover connected to said compartments, said bottom cover
being penetratable such that the additive is dispensed into the cup
when pressure is applied to said lid forcing said plungers to
puncture said bottom cover.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid having a
lip integrally connected thereto for securing said lid to the
cup.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid having
perforations contained therein for selectively creating an
opening.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said internal rim
is substantially circular in shape.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said external rim
is substantially circular in shape.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said dividers are
in a juxtaposed position with respect to each other.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said compartments
are perpendicular to said lid.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom cover
having a series of perforations contained therein for permitting
ease of penetration.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a steam
hole formed in said lid.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of
additives comprises sugar, artificial sweetener, artificial cream,
flavoring, and instant coffee.
11. An apparatus for permitting a user to dispense additives in a
fluid contained in a cup, comprising:
a lid having a bottom surface and a top surface, said lid having a
lip integrally connected thereto for securing said lid to the cup,
said lid having perforations for permitting the user to selectively
create an opening;
a circular-shaped external rim perpendicularly connected to said
bottom surface of said lid;
a circular-shaped internal rim perpendicularly connected to said
bottom surface of said lid, said internal rim aligned co-axially
with said external rim;
a plurality of dividers extending from said internal rim and
positioned juxtaposed to each other and perpendicular to said lid,
said dividers being fused to said external rim to create a
plurality of compartments for holding the additives;
a plurality of plungers positioned in said compartments, said
plurality of plungers extending perpendicular from said lid;
and
a bottom cover sealably connected to said compartments, said bottom
cover having a series of perforations, said perforations permit
rupturing of said bottom cover to allow the additive to be
dispensed from said compartments to the fluid in the cup when the
user presses said top surface of said lid to force said plunger to
abut against said bottom cover.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a
steam hole formed in said lid for permitting any vapor of the fluid
to escape.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said plurality of
additives comprises sugar, artificial sweetener, artificial cream,
flavoring, and instant coffee.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said lid is made
of plastic.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lid for a container. More
particularly, the invention relates to an attachable lid containing
compartments for dispensing of additives into a cup.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The fast-food industry increasingly demands for a more efficient
and expedious method of serving its clientele in a cost effective
manner. When serving beverages, customarily lids are placed on cups
to maintain the beverage at its desired temperature. At the same
time, condiments, such as sugar and cream are supplied to the
customer for use in flavoring the beverage. While this method of
supplying the goods to the consumer works, it is generally
cumbersome and wastelid to have the condiments separate from the
lid since the consumer is required to open the lid, insert the
desired condiment into the cup and dispose of the condiments
wrapper.
The present invention discloses an apparatus which combines the lid
and condiments in such a manner as to encourage cost savings, while
at the same time be enviromnentally friendly by reducing waste.
The goal of reducing waste has led to a search for such an
environmentally sound product, as is the present invention. The
present invention is not only a quick and easy method for
dispensing additives into a cup, but also eliminates the need for
individually packaged items like sugar and creamer. In addition,
the present invention discloses a lid having condiments or
additives contained within the lid to save storage space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a device for permitting a user to
dispense creamer, sugar, artificial sweetener or other additives
into a cup of coffee or tea. In essence, the present invention
discloses the combination of a plurality of compartments having the
additive contained therein.
The device generally comprises a lid having a lip for securing the
lid to a cup. The lid has perforations for allowing the drinker to
create an opening through which to drink. Attached perpendicularly
to the bottom of the lid is a set of inner and outer rims. A
plurality of juxtaposed dividers connect the outer rim to the inner
rim. Such a connection of dividers to the rims creates the
plurality of compartments for holding the additives.
Each compartment contains a plungers extending from the bottom of
the lid. A bottom cover having perforations that correspond to the
compartments seals the additives. In operation, the user ruptures
the bottom cover with the plunger when pressure is applied to lid,
thereby dispensing the additive into the cup.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention can be more readily understood by reference to the
Drawings set forth below.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid connected to a cup as seen in
its environment;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the lid;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the lid;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lid;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom cover; and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a multifunctional lid for a cup for
permitting a user to actuate the lid such that an additive is
dispensed into the cup which is generally designated 10 in FIG. 1.
As can be seen, a lid 10 is connected to a cup 12 by a lip 14 which
is integrally connected to lid 10. As will be more fully
appreciated after subsequent disclosure, lid 10 has a plurality of
compartments aligned along its periphery which are created by
having a plurality of dividers 18 separated in equi-distances along
lid 10. Contained within compartments 16 are a plurality of
plungers 20. Plungers 20 are used to actuate the flow of additive
from compartment 16 into cup 12.
Also contained on lid 10 is a lid opening 22. In addition, lid 10
has a steam hole 24 formed therein for permitting vapor to escape
from cup 12. In operation, a user 26 asserts pressure upon lid 16
to force plunger 20 of its compartments 16 to dispense an additive
(not shown) into cup 12. As can be appreciated by one skilled in
the art, lid 10 can have a stir stick (not shown) moveably attached
thereto for allowing the user to mix the fluid contained in cup
12.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the present invention 10 can be seen in a
top view perspective. Generally, lid 10 is circular in shape and
has the lip 14 contained on its outer periphery. Lid 10 can be made
of several materials, such as plastic. The plurality of
compartments 16 are approximately in a equi-distance from one
another and adjacent to lip 14. As can be seen, dividers 18 are
aligned substantially juxtaposed from one another to create the
outer limit of compartment 16. Plungers 20 are arranged in
compartments 16 and are aligned in a equidistance and juxtaposed
position from one another. As can be seen in FIG. 2, plungers 20
are in a cross-shaped configuration. Opening 22 is on the outer
edge of lid 10 and is defined by perforations 28. In addition,
steam hole 24 is aligned in a coaxial position with respect to lid
10.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective of lid 10. Lid 10 has the outer
lip 14 at its outer edge. Aligned substantially parallel and
coaxial with the lip is an external rim 30. In addition, a internal
rim 32 is coaxial with external rim 30. As can be seen in FIG. 3,
the formation of the compartment 16 can be seen. The plurality of
dividers 18 are aligned in a juxtaposed position which are
connecting inner rim 32 to outer 30 to create the compartments 16.
After the compartments have been created, plungers 20 are affixed
to the bottom of the lid 10 for later operation.
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of lid 10. As can be seen, the method
of manufacturing can be more readily understood. Internal rim 32 is
in a substantially circular shape. The plurality of dividers 18 are
positioned away from internal rim 32 and are substantially
juxtaposed with one another. In addition, dividers 18 are in an
equi-distance from one another. The combination dividers 18 and
internal rim 32 can be connected to the bottom of lid 10 such that
the internal rim 32 is coaxial with the lid 10. The dividers 18 are
connected to the internal surface of the external rim 30 in order
to create the plurality of compartments. Inserted within the
compartments 16 are the plurality of plungers 20 which are X-shaped
and are inserted into compartments 18 and connected to the bottom
surface of lid 10. As can be seen, steam hole 24 is substantially
coaxial with the internal rim 32 and external rim 30. In addition,
lip 14 is coaxial with the external rim 30 and internal 32. As can
be appreciated, the plurality of dividers 18, external rim 30 and
internal rim 3 are aligned substantially perpendicular to the
bottom surface of lid 10 in its preferred embodiment.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the bottom cover 34 can be seen. It should
be understood that bottom cover 34 is connected to the bottom of
lid 10 in order to seal additives (not shown) within the
compartments. Bottom cover 34 can be made of several membrane-like
materials, such as plastic, paper or foil. The additives (not
shown) can one of many, for example the additives can comprise
sugar, artificial sweetener, artificial cream flavoring and instant
coffee. Bottom cover 34 has a plurality of perforations 36 formed
therein which are mirror images of the configuration of the
compartment (not shown). In addition, cover 34 has a bottom access
38 formed therein for permitting the access to the cup when the lid
(not shown) is opened.
FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Specifically, lid 40 is generally a lip 42 integrally connected to
lid 40. Formed within lid 40 is a plurality of contours 46.
Contours 46 are generally hemispherical in shape, but can be one of
several different shapes as can be appreciated by one skilled in
the art. Contours 46 have membranes 50 connected thereto for
creating chambers 44. As can be appreciated, chambers 44 have
selected additives 48 contained therein. As part of the invention,
the chambers 44 can be positioned anywhere along lip 40.
In operation, user 26 asserts pressure against the external surface
of lid 40 at its contour 46. By asserting the pressure on a
selected contour 46, pressure is applied to the internal portion of
chamber 44 thus causing additive 48 to assert pressure against
membrane 50. By asserting such pressure against membrane 50 a
rupture 52 is created thus causing the additive 50 to dispense
within cup 12. The rupturing of membrane 50 can be more easily
permitted by having perforations formed therein for controlling and
reducing the amount of pressure necessary to rupture membrane
50.
In summary, the present invention discloses a lid having a
plurality of compartments formed therein. As can be appreciated by
one skilled in the art the compartments can be formed with either a
plunger or without a plunger. In essence, the compartments have
selected additives contained therein and can be easily inserted
into a cup when a user selectively asserts pressure against a
particular part of the lid to cause the compartment to have access
to the cup.
Modifications of this invention will occur to those skilled in the
art. Therefore, it is to understood that the invention is not
limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that it is
intended to cover all modifications which are within the spirit and
scope of this invention as claimed.
* * * * *